Steering pilot



G. H. TABER STEERING PILOT Dec. 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14. 1948 LXII/ENTOR. Qua/( 30 6416M flm Dec. 4, 1951 G. H. TABER 2,577,490

" STEERING PILOT Filed July 14, 1948 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r l i 'dwwwf ATTOR/VE V6 Dec. 4, 1951 Filed July 14, 1948 G. H. TABER STEERING PILOT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 H I/AQ/ENTOR. 540 4 0 :96 Eel/60v BY M A fro/F VE Y6 G. H. TABER STEERING PILOT Dec. 4, 1951 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 14, 19 48 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 V H STEERI'NG .P-ILOT *Georg "HE TabefiElmiri; N i Y. ApplicationJulyli, 1948, Serial No.-.38-,697

19"Claims.= ('CI'J'33 I) 2 An object-of the present invention is to provide .'siredrigidity' in. the reel line as thevehicle moves a-simple, practical and accurate steering piIotof forward towardthe proper l'ocation'anwalsdto strong, durable and comparatively 'inexpeiisive Tallow pay,.outjbffthefline 'when'the vehicle for construction, designed tobe mounted in afixed some-reason, ,r'equifes'" backing .up'tin 'reverseias position on a servicecorrection fioorforenabling for another try to properly position "the vehicle ;the driver of. a motor vehicle to steei'in a .sub-' withirelation to'the correctiveLZDParatus. --stantial1y straightline for ashort distance on 'Another object'bf'the' invention is tdsirfiblify "said correction floor to a desired or required'point the .iiidicating'fmeans vandtoamplifyjthe indica- -to position it properly'iwith relation to' a frame Men Without employingjall the joints'and interstraightening or a Wheel aligning device or other ,.mediate levers ordinarily ern'ployed for amplifymechanism; and actuated by lateral'm'ovei'nents ingiiidicators.

of the vehicle in deviating from a-straight course, It is also anobject'of the invention'to provide and capable in progressing toward the desired a pendulum structure .having a 're1ative1y..,l'ong position of increasing in sensitiveness"andtherepointer for amplifying.theindication and pivotalby insure greater eas -and aocuracy'in positioning 1y. mounted belovv'fthe pointer and ,ed uippedzbesaid vehicle. Iow'thepivot vvithconnterebalancing weights'and A furtherobjct of the" invention is'toprovide 1 having" a plur lity foii eans f0rB 1 n Tlt a'ste'ering lpilot having means-to transmit prop- N Dointerto betaccur' ately= calibrated. erly the directions in which a motor vehicle is A" furtherobject'of' theuinvention is toprQVide steered; either in a straight line art) the right indicatingumeans .i'ofafsize .vtojbe readilyvi lble I or left, to indicating means visibleto the driver .to'thedriverfof a motorzvehicle, thei. desiredgor to guide the driver of the vehicle in drivingin a I required ld'istance from'fthe steering bilotgior substantially straight line'to' a propeflo'cation, p operobservance of faults and to brilli nt y illuor in'proper relationfto a frame'strai'ghtening'or minate the indicating.means.so'jthatithesteering "wheel-aligning device, a hoisting mechanism or 5 pilot m y noperatedeitherwday f i 4 lift, or to an area'requiring precision locationof Withtheabove.andbt iobjec sl ,view,'?t e said vehicle for'reasonso'f repair correction'ori to 2 winventionconsists in'the constrlil'qtio a' nov 7 avoid danger resulting from iobstructivev'iewor combination and. arrangement par s herein- Openings in fioorarea'or possible damaging "obf'after fully.-described,illustrated,in'the .accom- .i structions. pa y drawings .andipointediout in'themlaim A'n'otherobject ofthe invention is'to' provide her pp nd it being understobdmthat v ra steering pilotequ'i'p'ped v'vith viewable'dialand .iouschangesin theiorm. prop r s. andrmin r pointer indicator means a" power-actuated slip *rdetails. of construction, 'withinithe scopefof the reel having a stifi, taught lineprovided."with 'c1aims,may,.beresortedto Fwithoutdeparting ineansfor'attachingit to a"motorv'ehi'cle and 5 froni the spirit or.sacrificing, anyj'of the advana. pendulum structure operativ-ely connected with tages'ofthe invention.

one of the members of the indicating means and Inthe drawings: 'connected tvith'fand adapted to bepS'ciIlatediby 1 Fig". 1. is aHplan'view.illustrating'thealtrangethe stifi tension line for causing"the" indicating ment'o'f the steering'pilot, on the shop fioor iii/11th ""means to" indicate theexact "lineof travelfof a 401the' line of the .slip reelconnected to"the'.c enter steered"motor"vehicle in either direction"'ov r a 'ofth front bumper. offlan automobile.

"'shop floor for'enabling the drivento' steer'the Fig". 2, is a perspectiveiview of, asteeringpilot "vehicle in substantially a straight line underguidconstructed inaccordance. Withythis invention, anceof the steering pilot to a"pre-'determined the .encasement 'oit .housingrbeing brokenfiway position for correction of defects. Theto'r'que'on 5.- toillustratetheinteriorconstruction.

the power-actuated slip reel"cau'sesthe'he avyline "Fig. 3. is avyertical longitudinal sectional'view of the slip reel to' become straightened'to a'highly "o'fth steering'pilot. v rigid state and thusto act as a levera'n'doscillate Fig. 4 is'a,horizontalsectional view.

the'pendulum" structure'and operatetthei'ndicat- C Fig. '5 is a'detailed'vertical sectionaliview'illusingmeans to'indicate the steered direction taken 0"tlating the'fifistrfibt 0f t e"C T v rh byithe' vehicle in "its travel tovvardthe' steering sheaveand th'e mannerofmounting same. ""pilot. If the "vehicle is steered'toomuch' to ;the Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of theimeans right, the pointer indicates the errorfand; iifthe for.conneetingithetensioriedline' to a--motor vesame' manner, will indicatethe error if thevehicle hicle. isste'ered too much to the left. The object of the Fig; 7? is a"diagrammatidviewpn areduded driver is to' keep the pointer on the zero-mark of *""scale"showing a motor *vehi'cleconnectedj' with 'the'indicator While-steering to locationfoi'ithe therellineofthesteeringpilot'andillustratnig reason that, when the pointer is on'zerol the'ri'gid *thearrangementjof=noi1etracking rearfwh''els ff" reel 'line is parallelto a centerline on'theservice ""due toshifting' of the rear axle. "'floor'anddeviations' from such'center-lin'e maybe 1' fIni-the"accompanyingi-drawingsrinwhich is noted for correction. M illustratedapreferred-embodiment of them- Another object'of the invention is'toenable "ventiony'thesteeringi pilot comprises-iniitswonth'e"power-actuated slipreel to maintainithedef'struction a-casing f-composediof a 'l ower body portion 2, an elongated tubular neck 3 and a hollow head 4 having a window or opening 5 and containing indicating means, preferably consisting of a stationary dial 6 and a movable pointer 1 illuminated by an electric bulb 8 or other conventional illuminating means. While the pointer of the indicating means is illustrated as being pivotally mounted and movable over a fixed dial, any suitable indicating means may be employed and the pointer may be fixed and the dial movable.

The lower body portion of the casing is of rectangular formation and is narrow and oblong in horizontal section and the said body portion is of less width than depth to present a narrow front and the lower body portion is provided, at its sides, with one or more service doors 9. The body portion 2 preferably consists of a cast metal or otherwise formed base It], a vertical sheet metal section II and a cap or cover l2 preferably consisting of a casting having its lower marginal edge l3 fitted within the top of the sheet metal section II and secured to the same by screws or other suitable fastening means.

The cap or cover I2 is provided, on its exterior, adjacent its lower edge, with a horizontal rib l4 which forms an abutment for the upper vided at its upper edge with an upwardly extending inset flange l6 fitted within the lower end of the sheet metal section II which is secured to the base by an exteriorly arranged clamp strap H. The clamp strap is secured to the flange l6 of the base by a plurality of screws or other suit-- able fastening devices which pierce the lower marginal portion of the sheet metal section II which is securely held between the flange l6 and the clamp strap l'l upon a shoulder 18 formed by the insetting of the upwardly extending The cover [2 is provided with a centrally upwardly extending reduced tubular portion I9 having an exterior shoulder or seat 20 to receive the lower end of the tubular neck or sleeve 3. The shoulder or seat 20 is located below the top of the reduced portion l9, which fits within the lower end of the tubular neck or sleeve. The other end of the tubular neck or sleeve receives the lower reduced portion 2| of the head 4 and abuts at its upper edge against the shoulder 22 formed by the reduced portion 2|. The head 4 is connected with the central portion of the cap or cover by vertical stay rods 23 having threaded ends for the reception of upper and lower nuts 24 and 25 which, with the stay rods, securelymaintain the sleeve or neck, the head and the cap or cover in assembled relation. A pair of nuts 25 is mounted at the lower end of each stay rod for firmly clamping the rods to the cap or cover.

The pointer I, which is preferably of nonmetallic material, is elongated to amplify the indicating means and it extends from the head 4 to a point within the lower body portion of the casing and it is adjustably connected with a pendulum structure 26 by a clamp 21 consisting substantially of a sleeve split longitudinally and of rectangular formation in cross section to receive the lower portion of the pointer I which may be frictionally or otherwise confined within the clamp. The clamp has a depending shank 28 which is adjustably secured by a bolt 29 to for a vertical and horizontal adjustment and for an easy and accurate calibration of the pointer, which, although elongated to amplify the indicating means, may be accurately adjusted with relation to the center or dial zero mark 33. By amplifying the indicating means by elongating the pointer, joints and intermediate levers ordinarily employed for amplifying or increasing the range of movement of indicating means are eliminated and the structure of the indicating means greatly simplified and reduced in cost with enhanced strength and stability.

The pendulum structure is mounted for oscillation on a horizontal axis formed by a pivot rod 34 and it is actuated in its oscillatory movement with relation to the zero mark of the dial of the indicating means, by means of a stiff paid out portion of a line 35 of a tensioned reel 36. The inner end of the line is securely attached by any suitable means to the reel and the paid out portion of the line extends from the front of the steering pilot and is provided at its free end with means for connecting it to the front bumper'of an automobile or other motor vehicle at approximately the middle thereof so that, as the motor vehicle is steered toward the steering pilot, any deviation from a straight line course either to the right or to the left, will swing the extended or paid out portion of the line which, through its hereinafter described connection with the pendulum structure, causes a corresponding movement of the same which is transmitted to the pointer and the latter indicates on the dial both the direction and amount of such deviation from a straight line course to the steering pilot and the driver of the automobile will thereby be able to correct the steering of the vehicle and steer the same in a substantially straight line toward the steering pilot to the desired position on the shop or service floor.

One end of the tensioned reel is provided with a stub shaft or trunnion 31 which is journaled in a suitable bearing of a bracket or support 38 and the other end of the tensioned reel is connected by a friction drive or clutch 39 with an electric motor 40 or other suitable power supplying means for applying a predetermined torque to the tensioned reel for positively maintaining the ex-' ing drawings, is composed of two members 4|, 3

42, having flat engaging surfaces and adapted to permit slippage of the reel when the tension of the line exceeds the torque applied to the reel by the electric motor. The tension of the reel line drops slightly when driving to location and increases slightly when moving away from the steering pilot. The torque output is sufficient to overcome any possibility of fault from such source. In other words, any change of tension on the reel line, when attached to a, vehicle being guided to location toward the steering pilot, is so small that no harm results from such change in tension.

The bearing or support 38 and the motor are mounted on a non-metallic supporting member 43 which may be constructed of wood or any oar-5;. 2,5 ...-L i h t. 4,. in. J 5,. v -Y- its other suitable,material .,ahd. it is secured to the "base by bolts A4 .Or other suitable fastening devices ,on ,which :are arranged upper and lower tcu'shionsu l5 and 446., the lower, .c 1 1shi ons q spac- H The, non-metallic support ng member gran the n upp r and l wer. sh ons. .41 5, and 46, prac ica l eliminate sound in the operation of the reel and themotor. c. Theline 35 ex an overhea sheave? moun d .1. a or zpnt stub shaft, 48 disp sed at righ an es to. th a loft. the reel and theoyerhead sheaye, is arrang ed also. that the line, extends tangentially I 'csheave, to th re to; pe m tull firrP QS AQW outflorureel in of the line in accordance with demandonthelina. line, extends irom thesheave 4. V. o w rdl thunder. a front sheave 4. an lth oushfl i n 4;..open w --.rubber, or ,other sui b e m te ial oiw gnulfl trformationand. sli ht ytape e apd evi ell Hzontal and beveled edges 52 nd ,5; at its qen tigal to opening .to avoid, abrasion of the 1; 51. .is. secured by ,screws or any other suitable jasetening m n o the asin and ttq wursermay 0 he. made of. a othe su ab e m er alhh h w avoid ab a i no the ne .Qfr he. s ip ree ,T Ifhe heaves 4 1..a i se-hav c nyex eriph ral es.

. enerated into, ar en 'a t oo qw 'ch alway .rpre ent the e65...to th xact cent rrqfkeach hea e which s ye i a tt its p i n ale st Jlh stn hsha t :4 4 ea i .by e q ral lss fi fi ed o a d xtend ns u w rdly rom. M11355; o e ha r .556 an provi ed ith? hq i qn elte po o 1 hi ..9v ha ng.th sheave; 41. an 9rmsa fine rp eu rd tor tainine. =the ie in utheuerop o the. he ve 1 1-, T 1 han er 5 hemm d 9 $113 LVFQ3LRQPM1B1 es and a ts noee n b t martian qhhl211 ssscure e approx mat l nvetiedi. urshene uhanse .me. bqr .fi test od n sse he hettsmme tise t 19 t e. ha s m hamna de end n si es. mvid eari suppor for the Rimmed. oi the pe u tmst eus ur et- .lhemieerehd ap h ts v 911 th h nesr re isid r eei t the. s n lreie e h rtw q t e ap est 1!? nt r erl the eof, endfihs are na .es .,.ana elled. im tthaqse llet qp or Swinging movement of the pendulum structure I ti ih endu tmstr qtsr ie a den it me l ie r ed rv 's e beehimi ate! a h r o a rm filfil e s the 1 ti 'bbd A portion 61 and supperting at its ontenend fthe i itieisik ewhip t e.ledivsta e eefli (mounted. The ends 53 of the, vot rod.34 g are .jTth -a i hi est q lftd i t e fands'pac'ers, in the form o ffcol'larsiar lin the supporti memb r 1. 6. tirQm thel ei J.- 5

tetdstswaeiiieam vit r el. iiee l 1 i -l frqmtth miti' e rot on 'lthereof a at th am ifti'mefthe 'nearnessjfofclo'seriss of the f'teriniiial v lio'rtior'i' of [the spring fin er will prevent anyIaTcoidental displacement of the line from the i sheaveffifl. r t he "free end v.of the line is secdredtooheerjd o; a stop knob'lll which also has attachedutoit lthe shahk' Hfof a hook12' which isadapted to gehg'a'gethe front bumper 13 of an automobillbr "l' 'of the' drawings. The terminal bnm rgaging portion'or bill 14 of the hook is provided Q Litha'cover 15foffr'ubber or other suitable 'lhafteri'al adapted 'tofprevent the'hook from slippi'igig pm; the surfaceofthe bumper. The shank o to hook is preferably 'provided with a resil ent n cushioning coil spring 16 anditicon'stitj ites' "an adapter for ena lin the lineto; lbeiread 'ilyconetea to a motor'vehiclem he stop knob: v y dedwithfa 'centr'al'jbdrel'l in wnmntnes Lof the hfdok fahd thefflee'i d'fof the'l ine cureq'by clampin iserewsi nd Th ifl'stp' kn btt to reate it? fioitiofithaii' tht ehtifal'fdperfi A H and it will1limit thei ihWarQQmo einentY o the flifne' shohld' thesam pecomeh' li h m rj e cle whi he means r'the slipreel eperatibn. p The base of; the c ing "is prqymed jwitn fan emfng" 8U for the passage f'Of a cable 18 I I 1' TAS l r' e in ri 11 'the drew fiesf'th teeringpilot is designedjtp befjho ifite ishopffio ri n which isde ne t i W13 'wh p e e ab y xt n s. e w en it .ij'drums 81 constructed and arrah gedinaccor rrce with the wheel-aligning apparatns of f thefatogfesaid patent. The central line-is prefer ply-extended rearwardly beyond the steering-pilot and the' shop floor in advance of the testing drnrns f isjmarked ofi' by parallel lines to defihelanes 8 8 forjthe passage of the wheels of a motorj-vefjjhicle connected to the line of the slipreel 'and """s teered toward the steering pilot. I illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings, ifthe iie'ar axle of a motor vehicle'connected to the slip ellinehas shifted backwardly to the rightfin 1d Figf'], it would throw the rear wheelsont'of I'ine withthefrontwheels and the rearwhe'els condition will also cause the front wheel at the right side of Fig. 7 to be forward of the front wheel of the opposite side of the motor vehicle and it will be clear that the parallel lines forming the lanes for the wheels will enable such faults to be readily observed, noted and more readily corrected.

Any deviation of the line of the slip reel by a swinging movement either to the right or left from a central front line position in parallelism with the center line of the shop floor will result in a lateral swinging movement of the front sheave 49 of the pendulum structure and a corresponding movement of the pointer which will be carried from a central zero position either to the right or to the left to numerically designated calibrated scale markings on the dial 6.

When a motor vehicle is progressing toward I the steering pilot, every road condition may be observed and noted for correction. The invention provides means for transmitting direction steering actions of a vehicle guided by its operator or steersman to indicating mechanism and will indicate the defects of the motor vehicle in steering the same in a substantially straight course to the required or proper position in front of the steering pilot,

If the center line and side lines defining the lane for the motor vehicle wheels are invisible to the operator or driver, any deviation through fault of the machine will be indicated by the indicating means and the operator of the motor vehicle will be able to change the direction of the motor vehicle and steer in a substantially straight line to the designated spot.

It will be apparent that the steering pilot is of great advantage for use in connection with the wheel aligning and frame straightening apparatus of the aforesaid patent as Well as for properly positioning the machine with relation to a hoisting mechanism or lift or an area requiring position precision location of said vehicle for repair as well as to avoid floor openings or contact with possible damaging obstructions.

. It will also be clear that the rigidity of the paid out portion of the line of the slip reel will be maintained while a vehicle is moving forwardly or rearwardly as it may be necessary to back up in reverse for another try to properly locate the vehicle.

The steering pilot affords the driver of the motor vehicle attached to the line of the reel, an accurate knowledge of the behavior of the vehicle under all possible road conditions of driving, while steering the vehicle toward or from the steering pilot and, at the same time, enables the driver to steer the vehicle in a. substantially straight line, for, as soon as the pointer I fixed central axis for the laterally swingable member, said member extending forwardly from said axis and actuated by lateral movements of a steered motor vehicle connected with said member in moving toward and from said central axis, indicating means located adjacent said central axis and comprising an upright pointer pivotally mounted for oscillatory movement on a horizon tal axis located in the vertical plane of the laterally swingable member when the latter is in a central position, said pointer being of a size to be observed by the operator of the vehicle when the swingable member is in its extended position, and means actuated by the lateral swinging of said member for operating the indicating means to indicate angularity of the extensible member in steering the vehicle in a straight line course toward said axis to enable the operator to steer a vehicle in a substantially straight line to a desired position on said correction floor.

2. A stationary steering pilot for use on a service correction floor and including an extensible tensioned laterally swingable line and having a fixed central axis for the laterally swingable line, said line extending forwardly therefrom and actuated by lateral movements of a steered motor vehicle connected with said line in moving toward and from said central axis, indicating means located adjacent said central axis and comprising an upright pointer mounted for oscillatory movement on a horizontal axis located in the vertical plane of the laterally swingable line when the latter is in a central position, said pointer being located above the line and of a size to be observed by the operator of the vehicle when the line is in its extended position, means actuated by the lateral swinging of said line for operating the indicating means to indicate angularity of the line in steering the vehicle in a straight line course toward said axis to enable the operator to steer a vehicle in a substantially straight line to a desired position and means for tensioning said line operable to shorten the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

3. A stationary steering pilot for use on a service correction fioor and including an extensible laterally swingable member and having a fixed central axis for the laterally swingable member, said member extending forwardly from said axis and actuated by lateral movements of a steered motor vehicle connected with said member in moving toward and from said central axis, an upright indicating pointer located adjacent said central axis in position to be observed by the operator of the vehicle, a pendulum structure supporting said pointer and mounted for oscillatory movement on a horizontal axis located in the vertical plane of the swingable member when the latter is in a central position and actuated by the lateral swinging of said member for operating the indicating pointer to indicate angularity of the extensible member in steering the vehicle in a straight line course toward said axis to enable the operator to steer a vehicle in a substantially straight line to a desired position and means for tensioning said member operable to shorten the member and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

4. A stationary steering pilot for use on a service correction fioor and including an extensible tensioned laterally swingable line and having a fixed central axis for the laterally swingable line, said line extending forwardly therefrom and actuated by lateral movements of a steered motor vehicle connected with said line in moving toamaze located in the vertical plane of the swingable ward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilo't including a slip reel havinga lineextend-r ing iorwardly' from 'the steering pilot, said steer ing"pil'ot having a "central'fixed axis for lateral die tefangularit'yof the li' r'i'e"'in"steering"the vehi swinging movement 'of'the extended portion" of" are a "straight liiie ceur'se toward' said axis to" enable the bperatortq ster 'avehic1e" i'n"a sub- Sta"'tiaimflstraigntuineto desired position and means for tensio'hing the laterally swingabie li'ne" oflerableto increasethesensfitiveh ss oi the'in catofasthe vehiciembves'rorwar W '5;"Astationarysteerifig "pilot" for enabling a motor i "vehicle "to be steered in a substantially straight course on a"seivicec0irection"fl6or"to the line, means for" connecting the free end of:

the"li'n'e top, motor vehicle; means for'applying "torque totheslip reel" to maintain the -6X- tended portion ofthe line in a stifiriigi d icondir 1 tion' for swinging movement" when the vehicle traveling toward .or from"th'e steering pilotideviates from the central straight. course, indii-g eating means including a fixed :dialandan upright'p'ointer movable over the" fixed .dial, and a wardiand'from'the steering pilot,"said'steering pendulun'i structure supporting thepointe'ria'ndi pilot inclu ing? slip reel havinga Iinee'Xtend-"' irigfbrwaralyjrrom thesteeringpilotjsaid' steer= mfg not havingfaceiitr'arfixeu aids for the ex ten e'd pb'rtlonof' the line't'o permit lateral swing:

mounted" for oscillatory movement :on a horizontal axis located in V the vertical plane of the line when'the latter is in a central position'andkaotu ated'loy the lateral" angular movements 'of the lugf'ihfiverhiit or said Xtendedp0rtibn o'f"the 2Q li'ne of theslip'reel for operating the indicating line, means ro'r connecting' thejfree"encfofthe line'jto notorv mcleynieans for' applying torque'to theslip reel t'dmaih 'ain theefitended ortion of theline'in' stifi r idconditi'dn"un-" *"m'eansior indicating the direction of lateral movement and the degree of angularity of' thei extended portion of the line of the'-slip"reel,;said' torciue applying means-operating'to shorten the der'a?predet'ei-mined'tensicir j'fofstviirgirig'mbve zq exte'r'idedi'portion of theline and increasefthe merit when the vehiole"trav"eling" toward-6r from the steering "13110; "deviates "'from the central" straight coinsej'ah uprighfiindicating member in position; to" 'bew'b erved' bythe operator "of the veh'i a ing member an mounted ror oscillation on a horizontal "agis located-prime plane of said line whenthe latter is'irra central position and ac: mated by the swinging of the extended portion "'sensitivenes's of .the indicating means whenthe vehicle'moves forward.

81A "stationary steering pilotfor enabling a motor'vehicle to"be s'teered'rina substantially:

e, and meanssupporting Said in'dic'at 3Q strai"ght course on a"ser'vice correction floor to- 'ward'andfrom' the steering pilot; said steering pilot including a slip reel having a line extendingforwardly from the-"Steering 'pilot, said steeringpilot 'having'a'central fixed axis for lateral swing of the line of the 'slipreelifor operating the in- ,in'gmoveme'nt "of the extended portion of the di'oati'rigmembe'r'forindioating the direction and the degree'of angularity ofithe'extended portion of th'line of the slip reel, said torque apply-" in'g means operating to shorten the extendedporlin'e, meahsfor connecting'the' free 'end ofithe" line to 'a'motor vehiclejm'eans for applyingjtorque to the slip" reel to maintain the extended por= tionof'the'line'in a stiffprigid'condition for swingtion' of the line andir'icrease the sensitiveness of ingmovemeht when the vehicle traveling toward;

the indicating means as-the vehicle moves for ward."

6. A stationary steeringpilot ,for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered t in a substantially straight course on a service correct on, fi0Or tQ- ward and c from the steering pilot, said steering pilotincluding a slipreel having a lineextending forwardly, from the steering, pilot, saidtsteering pilot having a central fixed axis for lateral;

or from the steering pilot deviates from the central't straight 'courseiindicating means including a'st'ationary'dial and a rela'tively longpointer air-'- range'diri an upright position and looatedaloove latter "is in a central position and: a) pendulum structure pivotally mounted below' the line and, carrying the elongated pointer and actuated by the lateral movements of "the, line oi-the slipswinging, movementoif. theextended, portion of gq reel for operating the indicating means for 'inthe v line, meansior connecting the free endlof dica'ting the direction 'of lateral movement and the line to a motor vehicle, meansfor appl ying, torque to the ,slip reel to jfrr aintainv the eg itgnded, portionofthe line in a stifie-rigidvcondition,for

the degree of angula'rity of theextended portion oi? 'the' line of the 'slipfreel, said torque applying mea'nsoperating' to shorten the extended portion wii gt pvemfil fi. when the, vehicle traveling oftl'i'e line and increase the sensitiveness of-Qthe ward w rom a' t ii il ae ce a r htem m in .emimat; mber, in P9 v e, b rve b he),

indioatingmeansi'when the vehicle jmoves forward.""'"

91"A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor"vehicleto besteered ina substantially I: 69 straight course on a service correction'fioor' toward andffroni th'esteeriirg' pilot, said steering pilot inciddinga slip reel having a line' extendingforwardlyfroin"'the*steering pilot, said steerin g" pil'ot' "having a"'central fixedaxis for; lateral;

j 6 swing ng movement of the extended? portion of,

the lirieimean'sior connecting the free? end; oi, theline to a"motdr" vehicle, means for applying torciue 't'o th' slip reel to maintain the extended portion 6). the line ina sti'if'rigidconditionfor t j 70 swinging movement when thevehicle traveling toward or from the steering pilot deviates from the central straight course; indicating means inclu'di rig ahtationary dial .and i a relatively long pointer; and "d'pendulumptructure carrying tlle el'o gated pointer" "andfpivotally mounted at; a

and'inthe "vertical plane of the line'when the point below the same and provided with counterbalancing means, said pendulum structure being actuated by the lateral movements of the line 'of the slip reel for operating the indicating means for indicating the direction of lateral movement and the degree of angularity f the extended portion of the line of the slip reel, said torque applying means operating to shorten the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

10. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in a substantially straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including 9, slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, said steering pilot having a central fixed axis for lateral swinging movement of the extended portion of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a motor vehicle, means for applying torque to the slip reel to maintain the extended portion of the line in a stiff rigid condition for swinging movement when the vehicle traveling toward or from the steering pilot deviates from the central straight course, indicating means including a stationary dial and a relatively long pointer, and a pendulum structure carrying the elongated pointer and pivotally mounted at a point below the same and provided with a plurality of counterbalancing weights, said pendulum structure being actuated by the lateral movements of the line of the slip reel for operating the indicating means for indicating the direct on of lateral movement and the degree of angularity of the extended portion of the line of the slip reel. said torque applying means operating to shorten the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

11. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in a substantially straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including a slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, said steering pilot having a central fixed axis for lateral swin ing movement of the extended portion of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a motor vehicle, means for applying torque to the slip reel to maintain the extended portion of the line in a stiff rigid condition for swinging movement when the vehicle traveling toward or from the steering pilot deviates from the central straight course, indicating means including a fixed dial and a relatively long upright pointer, a pendulum structure pivotally mounted for oscillation on a horizontal axis located below the line and in the vertical plane of the same when the line is in a central position and actuated by lateral angular movements of the extended portion of the line of the slip reel, and clamping means carried by the pendulum struc ture and adjustably receiving the pointer and adjustably connected with the pendulum structure for calibration adjustment, said toroue applying means operating to shorten the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

12. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in a substantially straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including a slip reel having a line extenda ing forwardly from the steering pilot, said ing pilot having a central fixed axis for lateral swinging movement of the extended portion of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a motor vehicle, means for applying torque to the slip reel to maintain the extended portion of the line in a stiff rigid condition for swinging movement when the vehicle traveling toward or from the steering pilot deviates from the central straight course, indicating means including a fixed dial and a relatively long upright pointer located above and in the vertical plane or the line when the latter is in a central position, a pendulum structure pivotally mounted for oscillation on a horizontal axis located below the line and in the vertical plane of the same when the line is in a central position actuated by lateral angular movements of the extended portion of the line of the slip reel, and a member carried by the pendulum structure and rigidly connected at its ends to the pendulum structure and with the pointer and provided with means for calibration of the pointer on a horizontal axis, said torque a plying means operating to shorten the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

13. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in a substantially straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pliot including a slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, said steering pilot having a central fixed axis for lateral swinging movement of the extended portion of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a motor vehicle, means for anplving toroue to the sli reel to maintain the extended portion of the line in a stiff rigid condition for swinging movement when the veh cle travel ng toward or from the steering pilot deviates from the central straight course, indicating means including a fixed dial and a relativelv long upri ht pointer located above and in the vertical plane 01' the line when the latter is in a central pos tion, a pendulum structure pivota ly mounted for oscillation on a, horizontal axis located below the line and in the vertical plane of the same when the line is in a central position actuated by lateral angular movements of the extended portion of the line of the slip reel, and a member carried by the pendu um structure and rigidly connected with the pointer and adjustably secured to the pendulum structure for movement on a vert cal axis for calibration adjustservice correction floor and including a cas ng comprising a lower body portion, an upwardly extending tubular neck and a hollow head, a, slip reel in said casing having a line extending forwardly from the cas ng, torque applying means connected with the slip reel for tensioning the line, guiding means for the line mounted within the casing and located above the reel and forming a fixed axis for lateral angular movement of said line, means for connecting the free end of the line with a manually steered motor vehicle,

indicating means located within the hollow head of the casing and visible to the operator of said vehicle, a pivotally mounted pendulum strucsteerture connected with and actuating the indicating means and provided with guiding means spaced from the said guiding means and receiving the line and actuated by the lateral angular move ment of the extended portion of the line for operating the indicating means, said torque applying means operating to decrease the length of the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

15. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in substantially a straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including a constant power actuated slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, a sheave located above the slip reel and receiving the line and forming a fixed central axis for lateral angular movement of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a manually steered motor vehicle, indicating means in position to be observed by the operator of the vehicle, a pendulum structure pivotally mounted below the line for oscillatory movement on a horizontal axis located in the vertical plane of the line when the latter is in a central position and connected with and actuating the indicating means, and guiding means carried by the pendulum structure and spaced a short distance from the said sheave and receiving and. actuated by lateral angular movement of the extended portion of the line for operating the indicating means, said slip reel operating to decrease the length of the extended portion of the line and increase the s'ensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

16. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in substantially a straight course on a service correction toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including a constant power actuated slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, guiding means located above the slip reel and receiving the line and forming a fixed central axis for lateral angular movement of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a manually steered motor vehicle, indicating means in position to be observed by the operator of the vehicle, a pendulum structure pivotally mounted below the line for oscillatory movement on a horizontal axis located in the vertical plane of the line when the latter is in a central position and connected with and actuating the indicating means, and a sheave carried by the pendulum structure and spaced from the said guiding means and receiving and actuated by lateral angular movement of the extended portion of the line for operating the indicating means, said slip reel operating to decrease the length of the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

17. A stationary steering pilot for enabling a motor vehicle to be steered in substantially a straight course on a service correction floor toward and from the steering pilot, said steering pilot including a constant power actuated slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot, a sheave located above the slip reel and receiving the line and forming a fixed central axis for lateral angular movement of the line, means for connecting the free end of the line to a manually steered motor vehicle, indicating means in position to be observed by the operator of the vehicle, a pendulum structure pivotally mounted below the line for oscillatory movement on a horizontal axis located in the vertical plane of the line when the latter is in a central position and connected with and actuating the indicating means, and a sheave carried by the pendulum structure and spaced from the said first mentioned sheave and receiving and actuated by lateral angular movement of the extended portion of the line for operating the indicating means, said slip reel operating to decrease the length of the extended portion of the line and increase the sensitiveness of the indicating means when the vehicle moves forward.

18. A steering pilot including a casing comprising a lower body portion, an upwardly extending tubular neck and a hollow head, a slip reel in the casing having a line extending forwardly from the casing, torque applying means connected with the slip reel for tensioning the line, guiding means for the line mounted within the casing and located above the slip reel and forming a fixed axis for lateral angular movement of said line, a hook having a shank connected with the free end of the line and provided at an intermediate point with a spring coil and having a bill at its outer end for engaging a portion of a manually steered motor vehicle, indicating means located within the hollowing head of the casing and visible to the operator of said vehicle, a pivotally mounted pendulum structure in the casing connected with and actuating the indicating means and provided with guiding means spaced from the said guiding means and receiving the line and actuated by the lateral angular movement of the extended portion of the line for operating the indicating means.

19. A stationary steering pilot for use on a service correction floor, a slip reel having a line extending forwardly from the steering pilot for connection with a manually steered vehicle, guiding means for the line forming a fixed axis for lateral swinging movement of the extending portion of the line, a friction clutch connected with the slip reel, a motor connected with the friction clutch for applying torque to the reel for tensioning the extended portion of the line, indicating means located at the front of the steering pilot in position to be observed by the operator of the vehicle, and means actuated by the lateral angular movement of the line for operating the indicating means to indicate any deviation of the vehicle from a straight line course toward the steering pilot whereby the operator is enabled to steer the vehicle in a substantially straight course toward the steering pilot for properly positioning the vehicle with relation to corrective apparatus.

GEORGE H. TABER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 567,597 Kerstetter Sept. 15, 1896 1,975,419 Grube Oct. 2, 1934 2,114,481 Taber Apr. 19, 1938 2,214,161 Cater Sept. 10, 1940 2,386,884 Carlson Oct. 16, 1945 2,396,453 Windle Mar. 12, 1946 2,436,418 Bradford Feb. 24, 1948 2,451,244 Scott et a1 Oct. 12, 1948 

